Jaguars defense shines in 10-3 win over Bills

13 January 2018

With some unexpected contributors, that formula produced the franchise's first playoff victory in more than 10 years.

Yesterday's AFC Wild Card game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills was a snooze, but it was relevant to us in New England for two reasons: One, it would determine who would travel to Gillette next weekend to play the Patriots (turns out it's the Tennessee Titans), and two, Boston native and Berklee alum Susan Tedeschi sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the game at EverBank Field. The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) on the road in the Divisional Round next Sunday. Besides LeSean McCoy, who ended up with over 100 yards of rushing and receiving in the game, the team's wide receivers did not step up as playmakers. Bortles hit Ben Koyak in the end zone for a seven-point lead.

After the Jags punt, Buffalo drove 71 yards in 18 plays to score three points. But if he's on the field as more than a decoy, Buffalo can do what they do best: Run the football, control the clock, and lean on Tyrod Taylor's conservative approach to quarterbacking.

Jacksonville's defense continued to make a statement by holding the Bills to under 300 total yards and snatching two interceptions, including a decisive grab by cornerback Jalen Ramsey with 32 seconds left in the game.

Bills posted 28-21 victory last season at Buffalo (Week 12) in the last meeting between these clubs. Josh Lambo converted from 44 yards with two seconds remaining in the half to equalize for Jacksonville.

Otherwise, it was tough to watch. In the opening half, this looked like the type of the game the 2017 Jaguars lost because of inept offensive play. They run the ball, but they're not great at getting big chunks in the passing game and they're prone to turnovers. "He is a hell of a player, but we didn't run it".

The Jaguars squandered a prime scoring opportunity earlier in the second quarter after fourth-year cornerback Aaron Colvin grabbed his first career interception. Zay Jones dropped a pass, and a ideal throw from Taylor bounced off the chest of Logan Thomas and into the hands of a Jacksonville defender.

It turns out that breaking tables and fighting in the stands in Jacksonville weren't the only extreme things that Buffalo Bills fans did during their short-lived return to the playoffs. For the second time this season, Bortles has willed the Jaguars' offense down the field with his mobility. It was a sea of red and blue, and the "Shout" song was heard loud and proud - proving once again just how much these fans love their team. Dede Westbrook was the Jaguars leading receiver with five receptions for 48 yards receiving.

To his credit, he combined with Deonte Thompson for 14 yards on the following play, entering Jags territory and keeping Buffalo's slim hopes alive. The Bills did not get the touchdown, and settled for a Stephen Hauschka field goal with 1:49 to go in the half. The Jaguars scored five plays later. Leonard Fournette had only 16 yards on six carries.

E Coli Outbreak Spreads to 15 States; Leafy Greens Suspected
Romaine lettuce is mostly eaten raw and washing it or any produce tainted with E. coli will not remove the harmful bacteria. No common supplier distributor, or retailer of leafy greens has been identified as a possible source of this outbreak.

Blake Bortles couldn't find an open receiver if you handed him one on a silver platter.